Issue 4

Raven Report Sequoia High School

Volume IX, Issue 4

1201 Brewster Ave. Redwood City, CA 94062

December 16, 2015

Love conquers time in Scottish musical Brigadoon

By MARS SVEC-BURDICK Page Editor The curtain rose on a tree-bordered stage and Scottish accents emerged from beyond the fog machine as Carrington Hall was transported back 200 years for the opening night of “Brigadoon” Friday Nov. 20.

Scene one: a pair of well dressed contemporary New Yorkers wandered through the forests of Scotland, on a vacation hike gone astray. Following the sound of ethereal singing, they came upon a town called Brigadoon, where ladies still wore corsets and men still wore kilts. They requested to use a phone, but none could be procured, in a moment of ‘Toto, I have a feeling we’re not in the 21st century anymore.’

As the musical progressed, the New Yorkers were slowly seduced by the magic of Brigadoon, and by the charms of the female villagers themselves. In a final plot twist, the leading man chooses a Scottish lass over his life back in New York, and they live happily and old fash-

ionedly ever after.

Highlights of the play included junior Colston Reinhoff’s performance as the modern leading man, Tommy Albright. The love in the air was tangible as the romance between him and Scotlander Fiona MacLaren, played by sophomore Katie Benway, defied space, time and culture shock.

“My favorite part is the song ‘Almost Like Being in Love,’ because it’s such a powerful moment.

[My character and I] both want love in life and won’t let people beat us down,” Reinhoff said.

Another highlight was junior Noa Amzallag’s featured dance performance as Maggie Anderson, a lonely lass. In a several minute long routine, the girls in the cast all kick up their heels in a style of Scottish dancing involving jumps and twists. At the front and center was Maggie, acting out her pursuit of the young man who broke her heart.

“I wanted to convey all the emotions she felt through my dancing,” Amzallag said.

Another character of Meg

Photo by Glenn Billman

The Ensemble was a whirl of plaid in the dance number ‘Down on MacConnachy Square.’

Brockie was played by Danielle Croft, who sang a center stage solo in ‘The Love of My Life.’ Croft expressed that the best part of her role was Meg’s free spirit.

In the audience was former Sequoia student Allie Wells, who attends Middle College and once played Meg in a different production of Brigadoon.

Undocumented students reach for college dreams at dinner

Photo by Claire Bugos

Senior Abbi Lopez congratulates senior Deisy Lara after her speech at the sixth annual “Making Dreams Come True” dinner

By CLAIRE BUGOS Executive Editor Members of the Dream Club shared their stories, gratitude and messages of hope at the sixth annual “Making Dreams Come True” dinner held in the MPR Nov. 20.

Former councilwoman Barbara Pierce spoke and presented a cer-

tificate of recognition from the city of Redwood City for their efforts.

A representative from Congresswoman Anna Eshoo also presented the club with a certificate.

The dinner helps to increase awareness and support for undocumented students at Sequoia and beyond. This year, seniors Abbi Lopez, Deisy Lara and Claudia

Special:

Concert-goers live for the music

Page 4-5

How much do we actually sleep?

Page 7

ery Saturday morning for a month in advance, in order to prepare the uptempo pieces full of key changes.

“The music is difficult, but it’s worth it,” junior clarinetist Ariana Lazich said.

Although the rehearsals were demanding and the routines were challenging, by opening night it all came together.

Student mediators help peers build confidence

Perez Jimenez shared the stories of their journeys to the United States and their experiences since. Juliet Rosales, an ally of undocumented students, spoke about the impact of her father’s citizenship status on her life.

Students speak about their circumstances in order to raise awareness for the need to support undocumented students seeking higher education.

“Coming into my sophomore year when I first joined the club, I was like ‘no way Jose I am not sharing my story.’ I even thought I didn’t have a story,” Lopez said.

“But it’s important that people get their stories out because if they don’t, people won’t understand what they’re going through and they won’t feel for other people.

Since its creation in 2008, the Dream Club has provided a place of support for undocumented Sequoia students and their allies. The main goal of the club is to raise money to financially assist Dreamers who plan to go to college but may not be able to afford to do so.

See DREAM, page 8

Feature:

“Meg is such a robust character with so much energy, and I think that’s also Danielle as a person,” Wells said. “The whole play was amazing.”

The musicians behind the dance numbers played live below the stage, clad in black and arrayed in a makeshift orchestra pit. The group rehearsed for three hours ev-

By ZACK ROSENBLATT Page Editor Student conflict happens on campus 24/7. From friend conflicts to dating drama, the Peer Mediator (PM) program can be a peaceful way to settle the argument once and for all.

The PM program helps students effectively solve disagreements by having another student “mediate” a conversation between the two disputants.

Before becoming a PM, potential mediators must attend a training session where they learn how to successfully negotiate between two opposing parties. Their training includes tips on how to discuss the root of a problem, and practicing what to say during difficult scenarios.

To initiate the PM process, students request conflict resolution help, and one of the mediators is chosen to intervene at a time when all parties can be pulled from class.

“We believe that students are capable of solving their own

problems,” said PM program coordinator Whitney Fitzgerald. “Having that neutral third party makes a big difference.”

During the session, each side takes a turn telling their side of the story while the other listens.

“We don’t take sides or try to offer advice,” FitzGerald said. “What we do is try to facilitate an [effective] conversation.”

Mediation ends with disputants coming to a compromise.

“We don’t anticipate that everyone is going to come out holding hands and hugging, but at least there can be mutual agreement,” FitzGerald said.

In addition to helping others, mediators better themselves through the process.

“Joining the mediator program definitely bettered my own skills in terms of handling conflict when I need it for myself,” sophomore Oscar Reynoso said. “You learn how to handle situations, take charge and understand people.”

By the numbers

500+

number of laptops in use on Sequoia’s campus

IB English Y1

IB English Y2 36%

2

Feature 64% 36%

64%

37% 63% 37%

63%

December 16, 2015

Gender out of balance in high pressure classes

By PHILIP TYSON

Copy Editor

IB English IB English Y1 Y1 IB English Y1 Y1 IB English

IB Biology Y1 IB Biology Y2 IB English Y2 IB English Y2 IB Biology Y1 IB Biologymath Y2 and science courses at evIB English Y2 Y2 IB English

50% 50% During a major discussion in 36% 36% 37% 37% IB English class, the hands of five 36% 36% 37% 50% 37% 50% 64% 64% 63% 63% 73% girls and one boy shoot up. Ten 64% 64% 63% 63% minutes later, another five girls and one boy share their ideas.

Female By the end of the block period, Male IB Biology IB Biology IB Biology Y1 Y1 IB Biology Y2 Y2Female 15 girls and only three boys have IB Biology Y1 Y1 IB Biology Y2 Y2 IB Biology IB Biology contributed to the conversation.

Is this because all males hate 27% 27% talking in class discussions? No, 27% 27% 50% 50% 50% 50% it’s because there are only five of 50% 50%50% 50% 73% 73% them in the class.

73% 73% Simply put, there are more females than males in many IB graphic created by Philip Tyson classes this year. Girls should Female Female Male Male definitely be pushed to challenge for me to think of Female stereotypic Male a look at the numbers for Female Male Take themselves and take advanced gender behaviors that could be IB English and IB Biology classes classes, but what about boys? fostered through the years [and] in 2015.

Why aren’t nearly as many boys lead to this divergence in high “In general, I want to support taking classes like IB Biology or school.” and encourage students to purIB English? A “challenging” class In the High School Transcript sue their academic interests. It looks different for everyone, but Study (HSTS), the U.S. Depart- may happen that one year there rigor of class becomes important ment of Education found that a are more females that are interwhen applying to colleges. higher percentage of both male ested in biology than males, and “I don’t want to rely on some and female graduates complet- that’s not a problem,” said IB Bistereotypes ed a midlevel ology teacher Sarah Chu, whose about girls, or rigorous classes combined have 12 males like they “It feels uncomfortable for me to curriculum in and 24 females enrolled. “I think meet dead- think of stereotypic gender behaviors 2009 than in historically, females have not lines, and that could be fostered through the 2005 or 1990. been encouraged and supported they’re dili- years [and] lead to this divergence The differ- to pursue sciences, and specifgent. That is in high school.” ence is that in ically, math-intensive sciences, —Laura Davidson, 2009, approx- like physics.” true of some, but not true Gender gaps in the Sequoia English teacher imately 49 of all, and [it percent of fe- classroom go both ways. Alis] definitely males and 43 though in the study, females true of some boys, but not true percent of males completed mid were also found to have a higher of all,” said IB English teacher level courses. Fourteen percent of GPA average than males, they do Laura Davidson, whose first pe- females and 12 percent of males not perform as well on the Nariod class consists of 11 boys and completed rigorous courses. tional Assessment of Educational 26 girls. “It feels uncomfortable Is the case similar at Sequoia? Progress (NAEP), specifically in

tainty surrounding all the causes ery level. of gender gaps in the classroom.

“I think27% that what people do There is not a clear answer as to really well—and I attribute this why they exist, but that doesn’t 27% 73% to the maturity of the students mean Sequoia can’t continue to that I teach right now—is that work to improve. we are aware. Our classroom “Just as much as we encourcommunity recognizes that there age [males] to be present in IB Male is more of one gender than an- classes, we also make it so that other in the room,” Davidson English I to English IV are rigsaid. “I think that Sequoia does orous experiences in and of a really good job of encouraging themselves,” Davidson said. “As everyone to be in whatever class- teachers, we use this term—the room they think would best fit zone of proximal development— their needs.” which means that something is Giving students access to the challenging for you, but it’s not classes they need to succeed is outside of the realm of possibilvital to creating more of a gen- ity. Always hitting that perfect der balance in high level classes. sweet spot, where the student is Sequoia is mindful of this; how- safely challenged, is the answer. ever, where do imbalances orig- That’s what we’re all striving for.” inate? Why are there less than The classes people take are half the amount of girls of guys based both on their choices and in IB English? needs. A student, whether male “The stereotype of girls is or female, should be given the they’re neat and well-organized,” opportunity to take the subject junior Gabriel Guzman said. levels perfect for them.

“If guy[s] see a bunch of girls “I don’t really focus on genwho are orgader. In IB nized and really classes, “If guy[s] see a bunch of girls who want to pass IB I try to are organized and really want to class[es], they’ll focus on pass IB class[es], they’ll be discourbe discouraged passing aged from taking [them] because from taking the class they don’t feel like they can do what [them] because and being girls can do.” they don’t feel success—Gabriel Guzman, senior ful,” Guzlike they can do what girls can man said. do.”

“For guys Societal and stereotypical to be more into IB, they should pressure probably does play some not feel discouraged. They sort of role in the motives behind [should] just try, put a lot of efwhat classes students take. De- fort into school, and focus less on spite this, there is some uncer- outside distractions.”

Service programs do more good for volunteers than community

By TREVOR CROWELL

Sports Editor While some Sequoia students catch up on homework or relax on weekends, those involved in the Young Men’s Service League (YMSL) or the National Charity League (NCL) devote time to working in soup kitchens, hospitals and many other philanthropies.

“Some projects changed my mentality and perspective on the world,” senior and Young Men’s Service League member Daniel Spottiswood said. “We take things that would otherwise be wasted and recycle them into something significant that other people can benefit from.”

Since the inception of the NCL in 1958 and the YMSL in 2001, the two organizations have logged hundreds of thousands of hours in community service in homeless shelters, children’s hospitals, senior centers, art museums as well as more well known organizations like the American Cancer Society, Boys and Girls Clubs of America and the Special Olympics.

“Whenever you work in the community, you realize a lot of the people that need help and benefit from what you do are the people that you know or the people that you go to school with,” sophomore Lauren Cresta said. “Those in need or in poverty, minus the fact that they need more help, are not any different from you.”

Students and their mothers are expected to fulfill around 20 hours of communi-

kids scripts and tell us exactly what to say during the meetings.”

Both the YMSL and especially the NCL have taken heat from both outsiders • Increased community and inside members of the organizations awareness for supposedly being overly selective in • Aiding those in need choosing their members; specifically the • Personal growth • Lack of diversity Caucasian middle and upper class.

• Superficial motives (doing “I do feel like it is very, very predominantly white,” Fazio said. “There is very it for college) little diversity and I think that that is one • Not focused enough on of the worst parts of it.” the community The admission process which requires a student to be sponsored by a member already in the organization makes it difficult for outsiders to get involved. graphic created by Trevor Crowell ty service per year, participate in projects work,” junior Jackson Peyton said.

“The chapters are usually made by a and commit to multiple years of service. wealthy mom in the area and you have to Despite the fact that both organiza“Whenever you see people or talk to tions heavily emphasize the importance of have a recommendation to join,” Spottispeople or help people [who] have a differ- developing family relationships, this goal wood said. “Once you have that base in ent life story than you, it is interesting and seems to be of no avail. place, then those wealthier people invite helps you grow as a person because you see “If anything, it hinders the relation- their friends so you are not really going to that there are different things out there,” ships,” Spottiswood said. “I get more frus- gain a lot of diversity. There is definitely a senior Katie Fazio said. trated with my mom for making me do problem and it is not easily changed with Despite the good intentions, students some of the activities than actually enjoy- the way that they format it.” have realized that these The unfortunate truth of students only ing doing community programs have evolved taking part to satisfy their parents’ wishes service with her.” into another thing to “Some projects changed my mentality Members have and look better on their résumé leads to add to a college appli- and perspective on the world.” found that their ex- many mixed feelings. cation.

—Daniel Spottiswood, senior perience in building “It’s an organization to teach people to “Even though all skills has been held volunteer and to give back,” Cresta said. these parents are trying back due to their lack “Granted, people may do it to look betto get their kids to do community service, of ability to take charge in operations. ter on an application, but I think it’s still at the end of the day it’s more about get“The whole thing is mainly run by the important, and it’s still getting more peoting their kids to college and not really moms, and the kids don’t really do much,” ple to donate their time and have better about the people that we help by doing the Peyton said. “They pretty much give the awareness of issues in the community.”

3

Feature

December 16, 2015

Senior uses words, imagination to change the world Creative Writing class for the second year in a row.

Staff Reporter “It’s definitely helped me grow as a Senior Ilana Slavit, a student in Cre- writer; recently, I was looking at some stuff ative Writing, wants to use her writing to I wrote before creative writing, and some more recent things, and I definitely see a make a difference.

“I really want to make a change in huge improvement,” Slavit said.

Her favorite project so far has been a terms of women and minorities being represented in film,” Slavit said. “I definitely one-act play where a coffee shop is representative of want to major heaven. Slavit in it in college, Pencil-gray thoughts encase the void, has also recentand I’m actually Erasing poverty, famine and destitution with a few simple words ly submitted really interest- There is only so much writing one some of her ed in going into can do before the world implodes short stories the independent to contests. film industry.”

Excerpt from a poem by Ilana Slavit When WoodThe independent film industry produces films that are man hears that a student is submitting not produced by major corporations, like work to publishers or contests, she gives them more feedback on their writing.

Paramount or Pixar.

“I take it as a sign that I can really take Her guidance counselor, Melissa Perez, is happy with how Slavit went about the red pen to their work—that they’re really ready for that level of feedback,” reaching her goals.

“Ilana really managed to follow her pas- Woodman said.

Slavit finds this feedback extremely sions all through Sequoia,” Perez said. “Of course, all of [the guidance counselors] en- beneficial.

“It really helps guide you towards what courage students to have a rigorous course load, and it was great to see a student do- you want your end result to be,” Slavit said. ing that what she loves.”

Even though Woodman gives Slavit Slavit is enrolled in Jane Woodman’s

By RIO POPPER

All I want for Christmas is a date:

Holiday pick-up lines to melt the ice off any heart

— Compiled by Xavi Boluña, Claire Bugos and Abigail Wang

Can I take a picture of you to show Santa exactly what I want this Christmas?

Call me Rudolph, because you just sleighed me.

Are you a dreidel?

Because I wanna take you for a spin.

Call me e snowflak e v I’ e ‘caus r o f fallen you

Shouldn’t you be at the top of the christmas tree, angel?

Photo by Claire Bugos

Senior Ilana Slavit wrote a play where a coffee shop is representative of heaven. feedback, she enjoys Slavit’s writing.

“She is unafraid to tackle topics that are uncomfortable or hard to hear about,” Woodman said.

Some students feel that they drag themselves from class to class, gaining nothing, particularly enjoyment. Luckily for Slavit, she is not one of them. “I loved creative writing [class] last year, and I’m loving it

this year.”

Fellow second-year creative writing student, and close friend, Henderson is inspired by Slavit’s work.

“It’s inspiring how much work she puts into [her writing],” said senior Ayssa Henderson, who is also in Creative Writing.

“It’s clear she loves what she does, and I applaud her for continuing with it.”

Chromebooks distract but in demand

By NICHOLAS ABRAHAM and ALEX VICK Staff Reporters Chromebooks are used for everything from surveys to testing to turning in assignments. But these gadgets can be distractions from the very thing they were designed to help with: schoolwork.

A recent study done by Stanford showed that students with open laptops recalled less of the lectures than those without, showing unintended effects.

Many students try to play games while still paying attention.

“Most of our teachers know that we play games on them a lot and they don’t really care, [as long as] you get your work done,” senior Kushagra Sharma said. “Most people usually get their work done first, then do other stuff.”

The computers are also shown to be helpful in submitting assignments easily and efficiently through programs like

Google Classroom.

“There’s less of that transition that has to happen, where you write it down, and then type it up,” English teacher Laura Davidson said.

The English department has three full Chromebook carts and a smaller partial set, shared amongst the entire Sequoia student body.

Despite the distractions posed by chromebooks, teachers do not believe this is a problem.

“Naturally, every time my AVID students have their weekly tests, they’re not supposed to go to other websites,” said French and AVID teacher Karina Chin, who uses the chromebooks very often with her AVID students. “I don’t think it’s a distraction because they understand what the goal is and why they’re using them.”

At least 490 Chromebooks are currently in use at Sequoia amongst all departments.

Foreign students and staff discover a whole new world at Sequoia

By BEATRICE BUGOS

Staff Reporter Students and staff from other countries bring their culture and new perspectives about American society, which diversifies the Sequoia community. “[It was] a bit scary at first because the culture and everything is different, [but] you get used to it,” said French teacher Laurence Arfi, born in Paris. “In France you can just walk everywhere. Here it is really a struggle when you don’t have a car.”

As of 2013, 13 percent of the total U.S. population were immigrants. According to the Migration Policy Institute (MPI),

the top countries of origin were Mexico, India, the Philippines, China and Vietnam, and California was the top state immigrants traveled to from 1990 to 2013.

Math teacher Steven Wong was born in Yangon, Burma, until he moved in eighth grade.

“All my relatives are in California. When I was in 7th grade, Burma had a big political riot.

They shut down all the schools, so I was homeschooled for a year.

A year later, the schools were still shut down and my parents [said], ‘You still need to go school,’ so, voilà, I’m here,” Wong said.

According to California Watch, exactly one-third of San Mateo County residents were

immigrants as of 2011. in high school and also lived in The U.S. has been a safety England for 11 years. net for people escaping violence, English is the most spokenlooking for work or pursuing a language worldwide. In a Raven better education, even though Report survey, 39 percent said instruction may be in another their first language was not Enlanguage. glish, and “American people are used to “It was really 81 percent hard to do my immigrants, so they are more tolerant knew two homework [at of people who speak other languages languagfirst] because and [have] different colors of skin.” es, among everything was —Victor Frutos, senior t h e m in English,” said S p a n freshman Jenniish and fer Westling, born in Stockholm, French.

Sweden. “[I knew] just a little The millions of immigrants [English], just the basic words.” that move each year are bringing For some, English is taught new ideas, enriching the United from a young age and into higher States’ culture. education. Arfi learned English “American people are used to

immigrants, so they are more tolerant of people who speak other languages and [have] different colors of skin,” said senior Victor Frutos, who was born in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Other cultures can differ from the United States’.

“Yangon is small and overpopulated. So when you have more people, it is hard to maintain cleanliness. When I first got here I was like ‘Wow, this place is very clean,’” Wong said.

“When you come to school at 8:30, the school is clean. After lunch, there is trash everywhere, that is like Burma. U.S.-Burma, Burma-U.S., in one day you can experience both.”

Special

4

Out

of

class

and

Singing at the top of your lungs. Heart beating to the rhythm of the bass. Lights flash-

ing in your eyes. Taking that perfect shot for all your friends to see.

Students spend hundreds of dollars and dozens of hours at concerts to get the chance to see their idols live. But even when having to juggle school, sports and jobs, nothing can damage the rush felt when the first drum beats and the first note is sung.

“You’re really close in one room with these random people and they are there for the same reason that you are,” said senior Zelly Rosa, an avid concert goer. “You kind of forget what’s going on and just live in the moment.”

Freshman Kate Giorgi, who attended the Taylor Swift concert at Levi’s Stadium in August, describes the atmosphere as insane and one of the loudest she has been to.

Although she enjoyed the evening, she prefers smaller venues because you get the full experience of the show.

For concerts at arenas such as SAP Center in San Jose, prices range from $40-$200 for artists like The Weeknd, Justin Bieber and Ellie Goulding.

However, venues in Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View and The Fillmore in San Francisco prices often stay below $100.

The most Rosa has ever spent on a concert is $80, but that was only because it was sold out. Usually she spends $15 -$40 depending on who’s playing.

On the other hand, freshman Adam Johnston whose parents usually pay for him and drive him, has spent up to $350 on the Grateful Dead.

Both Giorgi and Rosa state their favorite band as twenty øne piløts, who are known for their rock genre using rap and pop hooks. Rosa saw them twice in October and is seeing them again in December and Giorgi once waited over nine hours for one of their concerts.

“Their shows are really special, it’s not like any other concert I have been to,” Rosa said. “They really are a live band, they always have something new to offer, it’s not always the same experience.”

Many concert venues sell general admission tickets, where you are given a specific section of the venue and get to choose where to sit or stand within that section.

“You get the full experience, the thrill of it,” said Giorgi, who prefers to get general admission tickets.

Rosa agrees and also buys general admission tickets often.

“If you think of standing in a stupid little room, really squished together it doesn’t sound that pleasant, but when the music’s playing and you’re really into it, you don’t really care,” Rosa said.

Concert lovers travel miles for the music, Rosa once went all the way to San Diego with her father for a Paramore concert and Kate went to LA for a Jonas Brothers concert .

“I keep going back because it makes you feel good, it’s like a new community,” Giorgi said. “Everyone is singing along to the same song and you know everyone is there because they like that band [or artist].”

—LEA BLIX AND AVIVA FUTORNICK

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travis

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feb.28 $50

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feb.8 $29.50

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Feature

d

5

into

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crowd

Annual Alice in Winterland concert showcases musical diversity and talent The lights dim down until the stage goes dark. Out come four men to the middle of the stage, one with distinctively long

hair. This man is James Bay. Suddenly there is a surge of bright lights, as Bay begins shredding on an old school red Epiphone guitar. The crowd goes completely wild. This was one of the magical sights and sounds of Alice in Winterland, the annual Christmas concert put on by Alice 97.3.

I sadly missed the first act of the show, up and coming dance-pop artist Zella Day with a growing fanbase. The second artist was Michael Franti, singer of the Billboard Hot 100 hit “Say Hey (I Love You), bringing his reggae-pop sound with a joyful message to the show.

He came out with the bassist and guitarist from his band, Spearhead. The three started out with “The Sound of Sunshine”, which began with a calm fingerpicking verse. He stopped after the first chorus, then plunged into the full version of the song, strumming away on his road worn acoustic guitar, and spreading smiles all over the crowd. It seemed as if Franti was treating the stage like his living room.

After a few more light tunes, Franti turned to a more serious note by speaking about the San Bernardino shooting.

“I don’t endorse political candidates, but I do endorse ideas,” he said. “I endorse the idea that peace is not just achieved through thoughts and prayers, but from millions of people doing good deeds every day.”

He introduced a new song to the crowd, dedicated to the victims of the shooting. He then played through about 30 more minutes of joyful tunes.

Towards the end of his set, Franti brought out a young boy named Ben out to sing his biggest hit, “Say Hey (I Love You)” with him. Ben has a brain tumor, and was brought to the concert

by Franti’s “Do It For The Love Foundation”, which gives people with terminal illnesses and wounded veterans the chance to attend any concert they want in the country. Ben came out onto the stage, and the crowd cheered the loudest they had all night for him.

A feeling of sympathy and support came over the crowd as they saw little Ben living out his dreams, which showed Franti’s generosity and enforced his message of spreading love and joy through music.

In his almost hour long set, Michael Franti showed his ability to unite a crowd with his joyful music and message, setting a high standard for the rest of the night.

Next up was Harry Connick, Jr., who was

troye fox

the replacement for soul crooner Leon Bridges, who cancelled due to his Saturday Night Live appearance 2 days after the show. Connick was an impressive replacement, one of the most well known jazz singers today, and known by a larger audience for being a judge on American Idol.

Connick was able to grab the crowd’s attention by playing a solo medley of traditional New Orleans jazz, showcasing his impeccable piano skills with skillful solos throughout the song.

Connick then played “Silent Night” and “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town”, bringing a true holiday element to the show and treating the auditorium like Central Park on Christmas Eve. In a surprisingly short set of about 30 minutes, Harry Connick, Jr. was able to bring a traditional skillset to Alice in Winterland, further showing the versatility of the lineup.

The final artist of the evening was James Bay, who was nominated on Dec. 7 for two GRAMMY awards, and brought his folk-rock brand to the event.

He opened with “Collide”, a foot-stomping tune immediately investing the crowd in his passionate performance. He then continued with “Craving” and “When We Were On Fire”.

After a few more cuts off of his debut album “The Chaos and the Calm”, Bay turned to his newest hit, “Let It Go”, a slow song which showcased Bay’s raw vocals that could echo exquisitely in any room.

Bay then delved into the highlight of his set. He started out playing a simple but somber guitar solo.

He then dove into the song “Scars”, which gave him a chance to shine without his band. A radiant spotlight gleamed over him as he cut soundwaves like a knife while using the sweet spot of his voice. His solo performance had the same power of a dominant rock ballad, but was packed into Bay’s subtle guitar playing and emotional vocals.

In his final song, Bay played his biggest hit, “Hold Back The River”, for which the crowd sang at the top of their lungs.

James Bay’s approximately 50-minute set was short but substantial, as it gave him the chance to span the many styles present on his debut Grammy-nominated debut album, “The Chaos and the Calm”.

The styles present at Alice in Winterland this year ranged from dance-pop, to reggae, to jazz, all the way to rock. Considering the consistent talented lineup and the intimate feel of the Masonic, this concert will be a must-see in the years to come.

sivan

theater,

oakland

feb.8 $42

If you could see any two artists co-headline who would they be?

“They’re the dopest lyricists in the game.”

—Jacob Yambao, junior

“They are both comedic geniuses with different styles but could complement each other really well.”

—Bryce Stephens, junior

“Their songs are on point.”

—Kim Lopez, senior

“They’re both metal core, but with different sounds and could sound really cool together.”

—Nora Fossenier, sophomore

Photos courtesy of Aviva Futornick, Lea Blix, Zelly Rosa, Kate Giorgi, Natalia Petani, Cambria Erskine, Kiley Lubek and Alyssa Albin

—NICHOLAS ABRAHAM

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feb.26

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& 27

$32.50

&

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6

Opinion

December 16, 2015

Feminists fight for full equality, not female superiority

By BENJY JUDE and MADDIE REYNOLDS Staff Reporters

“Humanity requires both men and women and we are equally important and need one another,” Beyoncé said. If you believe in feminism, you’re in good company. If you don’t, it’s time to get on board.

Dictionaries and activists define feminism as “believing in equal rights for all genders.”

We define it as common sense.

If everyone was as passionate about feminism as they are about football, Sequoia and our world would be much better places.

Sequoia’s Feminist Club, Girls Learn International (GLI) Club and IB English classes examine gender equality and encourage feminism.

In GLI meetings, members discuss and come up with ways to advocate gender equality and raise awareness about the need to protect human rights, like making posters for International Hu-

Photo by Maddie Reynolds

Ysabelle Punzal (left) and Mary Grace Mylod-Vargas (right) made posters in Girls Learn International Club for Human Rights Day, which was on Dec. 10. man Rights Day on Dec. 10.

“GLI is a national club started by the Feminist Majority Foundation, [a feminist group in the US] but they teamed up with the UN,” GLI adviser and art teacher Mozy da Costa Pinto said. “The initial pretext was to ensure that women and girls around the world get education because for many girls, that opportunity does not exist.”

IB English also promotes fem-

inism through discussing books, such as Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” a look at a total patriarchy in dystopia, Sonallah Ibrahim’s “Zaat” a tale of a woman facing sexism in Egypt and Toni Morrison’s “Beloved,” a look at post-Civil War life for female ex-slaves.

“A lot of [books in IB] have to deal with female protagonists,” senior Avery Amaya-Adle said.

“Some people I’ve heard have

said it’s almost idolizing women too much; it’s taking the importance away from men.” However, he disagrees. “If the point of the book is to express the opinions of women, [the writers] should be able to write whatever they want.”

Some critics incorrectly label feminists as “misandrists,” or “man-haters.” On the contrary, we believe in the equality of all genders, men included. The rea-

The terror is in how little we actually care

By LEIGH ALLEY Staff Reporter This year alone, there have been about 300 terrorist attacks. So it’s no surprise that with news story after news story on terrorism, we begin to find ourselves caring less and less.

Sure, we use hashtags like #prayforparis and try our best to help out the people affected by the tragedies, but that’s only when there’s a huge, notable massacre. Paris is normally a peaceful place, so when it was attacked, it hit people hard. Many people didn’t even know that on the the day before the attacks in Paris, two ISIS suicide bombers attacked Beirut, killing anywhere between 37 and 43 people. It’s not your fault if you haven’t heard. There are so many attacks nowadays, it’s getting difficult to keep track. That’s what is so sad: there are so many acts of people feeling the need to take strangers’ lives, we can hardly count them all, much less care about each one to the extent we should.

It’s as though we see terrorism as a trend, not an actual issue that’s important. Facebook added the option to put a filter with the colors of the flag of France over the original profile picture, and many people did it. However, this was largely not out of empathy, but for the sake of joining a bandwagon. I haven’t seen anyone sporting the flag of Beirut or Iraq over their profile picture.

son why we may seem more prowomen is because we have to be; in the world we live in now, there are still more women’s equality issues than men’s.

For those who care about the name, as long as we call the human race ‘mankind,’ we call gender equality ‘feminism.’

Feminists’ goals is to not hurt men, just the patriarchy.

Whiny, childish and foreveralone anti-feminists who equate today’s feminism with violence or witchcraft are confusing Lady Gaga with Lady Macbeth. Today, feminism focuses mainly on rights and justice for LGBT+ women, body positivity, social aspects of equality and third world feminism.

We don’t need feminism—we want it; girls in the third world need it. To any doubters, try telling Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani girl who was shot in the head because she dared to open her mouth about girls’ education, that you don’t believe in gender equality.

We identify as feminists because we believe in the equality of the genders. We’re feministactivists because we believe in fighting for it.

The world is not made of sexist pigs, but they are among us.

Don’t be one of them.

Sequoia High School

Raven Report 2015-2016

We Three Kings

Glenn Billman, Claire Bugos Carmen Vescia

Sven the Reindeer Abigail Wang

Dr. Dreidel

Emily Ducker

Gingerbread Man Trevor Crowell

Little Drummer Boy Philip Tyson

Cartoon by Leigh Alley

I’ve witnessed Sequoia students telling one another how little they cared about terrorism attacks of late—and when I pondered whether an article about terrorism with references to Paris would be timely by the time the paper was released, I realized that terror incidents were so frequent that there was sure to be one around the time the paper came out.

If someone barged into your classroom during a test and opened fire, killing several classmates and injuring others, chances are you’d be terrified.

However, when some far away shooter kills thirty people in the Middle East, you might only see it as repetitive. As soon as tragedies either affect us directly or make a large impact like being in an important city or causing Tumblr to change their logo for a day, we become activists. But as long as the terrorism

stays far away, it’s not our problem.

I’m not saying this makes you a bad person. You may just be a victim of modern society’s inevitable desensitization.

You don’t need to make a drastic change to your lifestyle. Maybe we should just try to be a little more aware of terrorism when it happens. Unfortunately, it’s hard to find out about lesser known terrorist attacks because of the media’s focus on bigger incidents. Before you go changing your profile picture, maybe do some research. Watch the news every once in a while or research recent incidents. Teachers can start the discussion in the classroom and get kids thinking about the impact terrorism has on people and their families and friends.

It can help society start to understand just how bad terrorism is, and who knows, maybe slow it down.

Naughty Listed

Zack Rosenblatt Mars Svec-Burdick

Elves

Nicholas Abraham, Leigh Alley, Lea Blix, Xavi Boluña, Beatrice Bugos, Brighid Bugos, Mackenzie Clarke, Matthew Eisenberg, Zoey Fletcher, Aviva Futornick, Addison Holman, Benjy Jude, Maddie Pei, Maddie Reynolds, Rio Popper, Alex Vick

Ms. Claus Kim Vinh

7

Opinion

December 16, 2015

The harsh reality of college sports: opportunities are few and far

By MACKENZIE CLARKE

Staff Reporter

An overwhelming 46 percent of all high school students play sports across America.

However, only 6.5 percent go on to play sports at a competitive collegiate level.

For many of us who play high school and club sports, that can be a dream-crushing statistic. The realities of college sports and scholarships are like a punch in the face, which brings to question: why are any of us doing all of this?

We (myself included) devote hours upon hours of our lives to sports, we invest hundreds, thousands, even tens of thousands of dollars to run around playing on travel teams, buying equipment, and countless other expenses. For a large number of athletes, the mentality is that if we allocate large sums of money and time, we will be guaranteed to play in college.

But that’s just not how it is, unfortunately.

Many athletes and their families get too caught up in the dream to realize the sensibilities of their aspirations. We’re doing all of this, but nothing is guaranteed.

Not a single one of us is guaranteed a spot on a college team or a large scholarship.

Despite the harsh truth within that statement, I’ve met many athletes and teammates with the mentality that they would surely receive a full-ride scholarship for their sport, so why should they focus on academics or any other type of extracurricular? The illusive nature of collegiate sports seems to become the obsession of

to be true. How could they all defy the statistics?

Even with odds stacked against us, we persevere. The importance and value of playing sports as a teenager should not be competitive held in the hope of getting a large scholarcollege athletes ship or going on to play in college. I do not get up at 4 a.m. every weekend during the summer because I think it will mean a starting spot on Stanford’s softball team.

I do not devote my blood, sweat and tears to my sport because I think it will get me 30% in a full ride scholarship. I am committed to 27% in NCAA NCAA my sport for the love of the game, and I Division I Division know that the majority of the 7.8 million III 2% of high $8,700 high school athletes are too. school the average 16% in seniors get athletic The idea of playing in college is still real NCAA 28% athletic scholarship Division II other amount scholarships to me, I’ve just learned to tread carefully a year when planning my future decisions. I’ve Numbers Courtesy of NCAA - Infographic by Mackenzie Clarke not given up; instead, I have adapted to many families, but the truth is really in the of dollars on equipment, fees, hotels and reality. I’ve learned to find balance in my numbers. Two percent of all high school gas annually to satisfy my athletic interest. life and value academics as equally to athathletes receive any athletic scholarship at It all started ten years ago with a love letics. For the other 93.5 percent of athall, and a microscopic amount of athletes for the game that sparked into a passion. letes who won’t get recruited, your time receive full rides—just under 0.9 percent. Like so many other teenagers in the coun- and money spent playing sports hasn’t This recent revelation of mine made me try, I love the sport I play. As I progressed been wasted. There is so much value in seriously examine the reasons behind my into my mid-teens, the thought of college playing sports. Sports have toughened me desire to keep playing more of my sport. became less of a distant idea and more of in ways that carry over into the classroom and other aspects of I realized that there is so much more to a cloud looming omiplaying sports than getting recruited or re- nously over my head.

I do not devote my blood, sweat and my life. Sports have ceiving scholarships. As athletes, we should Suddenly I had peo- tears to my sport because I think it will caused me pain on all focus on what we get out of it. ple asking me “have get me a full ride scholarship. I am levels, yet have given I spend an average of 26 hours a week you started recruit- committed to my sport for the love of me some of the best moments of my life; during the summer on a softball field, and ment yet?” or “what the game. sports have provided there’s no offseason. Every weekend from college do you want tools to make me a May to August is spent either on a softball to play in?” and I had field or going to a softball tournament with no answer. I was surrounded by people well-balanced person, and these lessons my travel team, and the remaining months prematurely planning out their futures of will carry throughout the rest of my life. of the year are spent playing Sequoia soft- playing starting positions for huge Divi- Even when I’m older and no longer playball or continuing practicing in the winter sion 1 schools or getting full ride scholar- ing, I’ll hold the value of sports, whether months. My household spends hundreds ships, but I knew that it was all too good or not I make a college team.

7.8 million

high school athletes in the U.S.

Students don’t get a lot of sleep...

Average Sleep Time : 11:00 p.m.

Average 7.25 Senior 6.5

Average Wake Time : 6:35 a.m.

Junior 7.15 Sophomore 7.25

...which doesn’t help at school...

Freshman 7.85

48% get sleepy in

18% report

morning classes

25% get sleepy in midday classes

53% get sleepy in

little or no motivation to do school work

afternoon classes

50% report being unable to focus during the day

...they know it’s important...

28% report

96% Say sleep is important

feeling fatigued or napping during class

They all have their ways of trying to fall asleep: Music

10%

Close eyes

10%

Read

8%

No digital devices before bed

Staff Editorial

If you’re reading this, it’s too late.

Government Recommendation 9-10

12%

518,000

...so why aren’t they getting enough sleep?

Main reasons students don’t get enough sleep: 76% Homework 29% Digital devices 12%

Just can’t sleep

9% 6%

Stress Sports

Likely a result of the blue light from digital devices that tricks your brain into thinking that it’s still daytime. Your brain has a harder time naturally falling asleep

Based on a Raven Report survey of 224 students - Infographic by Maddie Pei

The semester ends tomorrow, erasing with it the possibility of accomplishing most of the goals you set in August. We’ve compiled a list of lies we all tell ourselves to assure you that you are not alone.

1. I’ll be organized this semester

This dream was pronounced dead about two weeks into the school year when you started using your binders as all-purpose folders and forgot to stop.

2. I’ll eat healthier this school year

You tell yourself this every night as you make plans for your lunch tomorrow. Then, when you wake up 10 minutes after you were supposed to be in class, you remember why you consider granola bars a food group.

3. I’ll pull straight As

This seemed like a very real possibility before the fateful event you can only refer to as that test sunk your dreams. You prayed to the Rogerhub gods all dead week that your all-night study sessions would

somehow be enough to save you.

4. I’ll wear sweatpants a maximum of once per week

When push comes to shove, you just don’t have the time or energy to put together a cute outfit every single day. Or ever. Plus, wearing sweats is the closest you can get to staying in bed, and what other pants hide that you skipped leg day for the second week in a row?

5. I’ll get in shape

But then Trader Joe’s brought back Peppermint Joe Joe’s. Does lifting a cookie to your mouth count as “lifting”?

If you failed at any of these or other first semester goals, fear not.

Let it go and forgive yourself— you’ve grown so much this semester, and second semester is your second chance. Until then, enjoy your well-earned break. In the wise words of Drake, “They always tell me nobody’s working as hard as you and even though I laugh it off, man, it’s probably true.”

8

Sports

December 16, 2015

Jersey collection reveals extreme love of sports

By MATT EISENBERG Staff Reporter Sophomore Brandon Ardwan has worn a basketball jersey every day to school since fifth grade, almost 2000 school days. He has a collection that nears 100 jerseys, and he has been collecting them since the third grade. It’s a lot, but Ardwan is deeply connected to all of them.

“Usually when you go to a game you get one, and you can see the players wearing them,” Ardwan said. “It’s kind of like a little connection.”

Ardwan received his first jersey from his grandfather. Ever since then he has been building up his collection, with most of his jerseys coming from his grandparents and father. Though he does not know the exact number, he estimates that his collection nears a total of 100.

While most Sequoia students will not go out and buy 100 jerseys, Ardwan says that most people would benefit from buying a couple jerseys because of the powerful impact that they bestow on owners.

“If they like the sport, if they

Photo by Matt Eisenberg

Sophomore Brandon Ardwan has an adoration for jerseys beyond the average, his collection nearing 100 jerseys. want a deeper connection to their team, it’s a great way,” Ardwan said.

For Ardwan, his jerseys are more than just articles of clothing. They are powerful ways he can relate intimately with family and friends.

“I have a Larry Bird jersey,

which is special to me because it’s my grandpa’s favorite jersey,” Ardwan said. “He always talked about how cool it would be to get one, so now that I have one, I can connect with him every time I wear it.”

Many of Ardwan’s friends have

taken notice of his jersey obsession, of their biggest goals is to play a and how they can affect his mood. sport for a Divison I college.

“They make him happy,” said “It’s a dream to go play for a big sophomore Clayton Orazem, foot- four-year college,” Orazem said. “It ball player, friend of Ardwan and makes him feel like he can do the fellow sports memorabilia lover. same thing [playing for a D1 col“Even when he is having a bad day, lege] or a little higher.” he talks about them.”

Besides just motivation, jerseys Jerseys are a powerful symbol also provide confidence for the of fandom, and there is no better owner. way to show love of a sports team Sophomore Cristian Navarro than to own that team’s jersey. In a agrees.

2013 article from Sports on Earth, “I have a dri-fit Stephen Curry sportswriter Thom Loverro wrote, jersey because when I put that on I “The jersey has become the flag of feel like I can make any shot,” Nasports—the most powerful symbol varro said. of the connection between fans Jerseys are very expensive, but and their teams.” they are great tools to bond over.

Jerseys not only connect fans to Even with the cost, many people players, but such as Ardthey also “They’re really good quality, they’re wan would say s y m b o l i z e really special, it’s something that will that jerseys are the success last a lifetime, and you’ll always worth it. of the play- cherish the memories you have with “They’re reers and drive them.” ally good qualithe jersey’s —Brandon Ardwan, ty, they’re really owner to sophomore special, and it’s work hard something that in order to will last a lifeachieve their goals both on and off time,” Ardwan said. “And you’ll the court. always cherish the memories you For Orazem and Ardwan, one have with them.”

Fourth-year seniors lead through experience

By BRIGHID BUGOS Staff Reporter

Sophie Walton It’s her freshman year and her first varsity cross-country race. Tall, intimidating, fast-looking girls crowd together with their game faces on. She is 20 feet from the first girl on the first starting line. The gun goes off. Bam! Started out too fast. It’s one of those races where the runners are seen by the spectators throughout the entire race.

“It was not a good first varsity race,” Walton said afterward. She cried for hours thinking, “I’m not a good runner. They won’t put me on again.”

Courtesy of Glenn Bugos Walton ended up staying on the varsity team for every year of her high school ca“This may not work in other sports, but reer, with the exception of her junior year I found that it was important for me to when she was anemic and didn’t run on learn that being varsity wasn’t the importthe cross-country team at all. ant part of the sport,” Walton said.

Adding to her previous athletic achieveWalton wants to run after she graduates ments, Walton was invited to state cham- because she enjoys the team aspect. pionships this year, the first girl from Se“I got introduced to all the seniors quoia in 35 years. She also holds the third [when I was a freshman] and they would fastest time for a Sequoia girl ever, at the see me in the halls and be like ‘hi, Sophie,’ Crystal Springs cross-country course. and I would be like ‘I’m so cool. The se“I didn’t think I was good enough, nior(s) like the freshman,’” Walton said. “I but [Coach Drew Hutchinson] was like just [felt] so [much] more comfortable at ‘no, one day you will Sequoia. They helped be good enough,’” “It’s sometimes better to be a big fish me navigate freshman Walton said. “He was year. I want the same in a small pond for a little while beright, but at the time I thing in college.” fore you get moved up to varsity.” was like ‘I don’t think I Her advice for as—Sophie Walton, senior piring athletes, “It’s should be here.’”

Walton plays a large sometimes better to be role on varsity. a big fish in a small pond for a little while “When I realized I had such a huge before you get moved up to varsity.” impact—when I actually came on varsity cross-country—I was able to deal with it Myles Mitchell better,” Walton said. “I also feel that there was this certain level of maturity with beMyles Mitchell had a feeling that heing on varsity. You can’t act like you did would make it on the advanced dance horrible because then those below you feel team, but that didn’t mean that he wasn’t that they are even worse.” nervous.

She has learned many lessons.

“Honestly I thought I [would] do hor-

Courtesy of Myles Mitchell

ribly. [But,] I was actually up front for a few of [the dances].”

For Kaylee Mitchell, Myles’ twin sister, he has become a great role model. Since Myles is a male dancer, people criticize him, so he has helped Kaylee learn not to take the hate.

Myles started dancing when he was six years old at Studio S Broadway. From there he moved to a Cupertino studio, and now he dances at a San Carlos studio along with others in Sequoia’s Advanced Dance. “[At first,] I was nervous. I didn’t know what people would think of me because I was new and outgoing,” Mitchell said. “[But now,] I have more confidence in myself. I have more leadership this year.”

His advanced dance coach, Taylor White, agrees with how he has changed.

“Over the years he has become stronger with his voice,” White said. “He started small and exploded. If you need a choreographer Myles will do it. He can do many different genres, not just one style [of dance].”

Like Walton, Myles will continue to dance after he graduates.

Myles’ advice for aspiring athletes is, “Try and never give up.”

DREAM from page 1 The “Making Dreams Come True” dinner brings in about $7,000 per year. Last year, the club awarded over $20,000 in multi-year college scholarships .

Apart from fundraising, the club strives to offer a community for students who often feel marginalized or scared because of their citizenship status or their parents’. Jane Slater, Spanish teacher and Dream Club adviser, along with teachers Kate Sheehan and Scott Stalder, encourages students to embrace their status and speak up about their experiences.

“A lesson we and many in the undocumented student movement have learned is that if people don’t know you, they won’t support you really,” Slater said. “But once people get to know who you are and what your story is and that you’re their neighbor or classmate or someone they might have known for a long time and this is what your situation is, generally people are very empathetic and want to help.”

In addition to financial assistance for students, the Dream Club aims to help high schoolers develop as students and people so that they are successful in the future.

“I want to be a physical therapist,” Lopez said. “This is because I tore my ACL sophomore year and I had physical therapy and I saw what they did—they helped kids who maybe suffered incidents and they’re not able to walk or do other things. I was in PT for over a year and I saw these kids who were able to walk again and move again. I’ve always wanted to give back because I’ve been given so many opportunities. I want to make changes in people’s lives.”